It was the end of a world-record 37 games unbeaten run in all competitions for Italy as two first half goals from Ferran Torres condemned the hosts to defeat, with Leonardo Bonnuci seeing red and Lorenzo Pellegrini grabbing a late consolation for the home side.
A repeat of the Euro 2020 semifinal clash between the two that saw Italy edge Spain on penalties was well dominated by Spain, expectedly so. A tie that also saw Spain command about 70 percent of the possession in the Euros semifinal.
It was a tepid start for the home side inside the San Siro as the Italian fans could be heated booing Gianluigi Donnarumma, after the shotstopper left for Paris Saint Germain in the summer of 2021, just after Italy won the Euros.
Despite dominating in the early stages, it was the hosts tht first got shots at goal within the opening six minutes. Federico Chiesa and Alessandro Batino who was deputising Giorgio Chielini both threatening the Spanish goal.
Nonetheless, it was Spain who would draw first blood in the 17th minute as Manchester City's Ferran Torres volleyed home a sublime cross from Mikel Oyarzabal to give the visitors the lead.
Marcos Alonso almost doubled Spain's lead immediately after the restart. His shot was spilled by Donnarumma, but luckily onto the post before the Italian defence could clear.
It was surprising that Italy had not leveled things up in the 36th minute when Lorenzo Insigne failed to hit the target from an Emerson Palmieri cross.
Things got from bad to worse for Roberto Mancini's men as Bonnuci was shown his match orders with just five minutes to go into the break. The Juventus defender wen into an aerial challenge with Sergio Busquet with his arm held out and received his second booking after initially been booked for dissent.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Torres got his header back across the face of goal to score his and his team's second of the night, compounding their hosts' problems.
Chielini came on at the interval, replacing Federico Bernadeschi to shore up Italy defence and with his wealth of experience did enough to command the defence.
Italy almost got a deserved equalizer on the hour mark, having had to sit back for much of the second Period, when Chiesa broke free on the right inside channel, but his effort came off the upright. It wouldn't have counted though as thefalg was already up for offside.
Spain also spurned chances to put the game beyond Italy's reach, although, young debutant 17-year old Pablo Martin Gavi and 18-year old Yeremi Pino impressed for the away side.
The match was thrown into a nervy finish as Italy pulled one back through substitute Pellegrini, after being assisted by Chiesa.
Spain, however, controlled the game well in the final minutes ensure their return to Milan for the final at the weekend against the winner between France and Belgium, who go head-to-head later today.
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